HEAVY RAIDS ON ITALIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24235, 19 September 1940, Page 7

HEAVY RAIDS ON ITALIANS

MANY DIRECT HITS OBSERVED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright;

(Received September 18, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 17.

A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states that a series of bombing raids was made bn Monday night on enemy motor-transports and concentrations east of Buq-Buq. Many direct hits were observed, resulting in numerous fires and explosions. Against Eritrea there was a successful attack on the Asmara aerodrome, a direct hit being scored on a hangar. A formation of enemy bombers approached Malta on Monday, but turned away without dropping bombs on the appearance of our fighters. From all operations the British aircraft returned safely. A Rome communique states that severe fighting occurred in Sidi-Bar-rani yesterday. The battle is continuing.

DESTROYERS FROM U.S. NAMED FLOTILLA LEADER TO BE CALLED CHURCHILL (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 17. The question of the naming of the 50 destroyers transferred to the British flag by the United States was raised in the House of Commons. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, stated that by agreement between the two Governments the original American names would not ne used.

He disclosed that the names which the King had approved for the first flotilla were as follows:—H.M.S. Churchill (leader), Caldwell, Cameron, Castleton, Chelsea, Chesterfield, Clare and Campbelltown. Mr Alexander pointed out that these were all names of towns or villages common to the United Kingdom and the United States. Names on a similar basis for the other American destroyers would shortly be given and these would include by special choice a few names common to the West Indies as well.